Hotseat & LAN play Petition

from GalCiv2 Forums
I must say that I am really surprised by some of the ‘hate’ (ok, maybe that's a little too strong but you get my point) directed towards multi-player support on these forums. I myself do not like playing on-line anonymously. And I can definitely understand why Stardock would not try to create a ‘battle.net’ type collection of servers for people to play/match on-line (for the record I don't want this and I don't think it makes economic sense). However, playing these types of games with friends/family (hotseat or LAN) is tremendous fun. I played MOO2 to death with my brother. Suffice to say I would not have played MOO2 for years and years after its release if it did not have multiplayer. If you don’t have any friends/family to play these types of games with you really don’t understand how much more fun it is then singler-player. I suspect there are at least several to tens of thousands of people like myself who enjoy playing turn based strat games on a LAN or hotseat. with friends and family.

It seems that you can already play the game hotseat by using a cheat code. What was the point of this – why did they not just enable regular hotseat play? The only way I could understand this is if they wanted to get the game released quickly and plan on fully supporting hotseat play in a patch.

Well, anyways, let’s hear it for a hotseat patch and a LAN expansion/patch.
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Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
It seems that you can already play the game hotseat by using a cheat code. What was the point of this – why did they not just enable regular hotseat play? The only way I could understand this is if they wanted to get the game released quickly and plan on fully supporting hotseat play in a patch.

the function is probably available because there is no distinction between human player and AI player. It would be some simple tweaking to allow the human player to control two civilization.

On the other hand, true hot seat game is not as easy to implement as it might seem. I remember reading on another thread about how the Devs need to figure out a way for battle playback. If they didn't, the second player will enter their turn and not see any ships.
Besides that, there is the problem with AI & diplomacy. The AI code would have to be tweaked so that they can respond properly to two or more human players.

Maybe the points I have made aren't very convincing, but it is definitely a lot of work that might or might not be worth the effort.

With that said, I would second the motion to get a hotseat patch/lan expansion.
Maybe someone could start a petition from one of the online services or something.. It will get very messy on the forum as discussion will occur. It would be easier for Stardock to find out the amount of people that want a hotseat patch if some other method is used.
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I third the motion. Like you, I like to play these kinds of games with my brother.

It seems that you can already play the game hotseat by using a cheat code. What was the point of this – why did they not just enable regular hotseat play? The only way I could understand this is if they wanted to get the game released quickly and plan on fully supporting hotseat play in a patch.

It isn't real hot-seat. It's working by a cheat that changes the race you are playing. You take over an AI, and the AI takes over your old race. I tested it very quickly and it doesn't work very well. The switches made me lose all movement for my ships, only one race can press 'end turn' etc...
I think it will take some work to get real hotseat into the game.
Offworld Trading Company
Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Well, the solution to losing your movement is pretty easy... you do all your stuff first, then control the other race. Presto. Only thing that might be bad is that the AI may do stuff with your diplomacy that you don´t want it to...
Reply #6 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Well, the solution to losing your movement is pretty easy... you do all your stuff first, then control the other race. Presto. Only thing that might be bad is that the AI may do stuff with your diplomacy that you don´t want it to...


Doesn't work that way, when you press end turn, the computer gets NEW movement and spends it, so, when you get in your turn, you have no movement, and coputer have bought a building or something like that...

I mostly play hotseat Allied with other human player, so there wouldn't be human VS human battles, and even if there were, it could be done like in heroes of might and magic, it's not realy complicated!
Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top
Another 'Yes Please' for hotseat. I'm desperately trying to convert my wife to strategy games, and this would greatly help this cause (and stop her playing the Sims)
Reply #8 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I would really like to see the hotseat option in one of the next patches (maybe 1.1) ...

-> No need for battle replays (you sit on the same computer )
-> No need for message forwarding (for trading per example) ... let it as it is ... If i want to trade I ask the partner next to me ... then I give to him what he wants ... when he is at his turn he rewards me with what we agreed

The only changes will be:

- UI changes: 2 or more races must be selectable for players
- The AI should not do anything with player empires

Thats it .. I hope ive not forgot anything
Reply #9 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I hope this thread isn't dying, but I have to add my vote for hotseat.

And, I'm probably in an extreme minority with this, but I'm also selfishly hoping that they release hotseat when it's ready, and not wait for the complete MP package including LAN/online/etc. For at least two or three of us, that's all that's missing from this game, so what wiser decision could they make than to cater to the needs of three of their playerbase?

And since this is my first post here, I'll add the obligatory "great game!". If I was a game reviewer (maybe I should be...?) I wouldn't dock any points for lack of MP.
Reply #11 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I am strongly for hot seat multiplayer game...count me in
I am searching for the pleasure of playing similar games like the great MAX, Mechanized Assault & Exploration...
Most tactical game ever..
Reply #12 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I am strongly for hot seat multiplayer game...count me in
I am searching for the pleasure of playing similar games like the great MAX, Mechanized Assault & Exploration...
Most tactical game ever..
Reply #13 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I am strongly for hot seat multiplayer game...count me in
I am searching for the pleasure of playing similar games like the great MAX, Mechanized Assault & Exploration...
Most tactical game ever..
Reply #15 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Add my name to the list, though the decision to do a multiplayer expansion will be based on game sales rather than a petition (developers aren't paid in good wishes and great desire, after all).

Let's just hope that the game continues to sell well....and if you haven't recommended it to your game-playing friends, shame on you.
Reply #17 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Well, anyways, let’s hear it for a hotseat patch and a LAN expansion/patch.

I would guess that hotseat, or PBM wouldn't be that difficult to add in, but LAN play would probably take a lot more effort.

Reply #18 from Stardock Forums Top
Well, if you read part 3 interview on the apolyton site http://galciv2.net/4/166/294 , you will see that the hotseat feature is planned for the first expansion
Reply #19 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

I sign this, I don't think it would be too hard to implement hotseat play - even if it was just a human only 'deathmatch' style play which wouldn't require the AI to be coded to cope with multiple players.
Reply #20 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Sign. post #7 of https://forums.galciv2.com/?ForumID=247&AID=109981 has my view on hotseat and lan